The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-06
THE HOUSE.

THE HOUSE
Speaker Carlisle Urges Revenue Reform
The Drawing for Seats.
WASHINGTON, Dec 5-Long before the hour
of noon shs GALLERIES OF the House were crowded
to their utmost capacity with spectators drawn
together to witness the opening scenes of q new
Congress. The ladies were in the majority. and
their gay costumes lent an air of animation to
the Chamber. On the floor members eoneregs-
ted and exchanged greetings and coneratula-
tions. There were very few floral decorations
On the desks of memberA
At noon the Clerk of the House called the
body to order and was about to call the roll,
when a crank in the gallery started Salvation
Army hymn. which he sang Justify until ejected
by door-keeper, which was not until several
minutes had elapsed. as the crowd impeded the
official in his attempt to reach the musician.
The Clerk then proceeded with the roll-ca.i
amid a good deal of confusion caused by gem
tlemen renewing old acquaintances forming
new ones amid much talk and laughter.
On the call of the roll, 313 members answered
to their names. and the Clerk announced that,
more than a quorum being present. tho next
business in order was the election Of . Speaker.
John G. Carlisle was put in nomination by Mr..
Cox. of New York, and Thomas B. Reed, by Mr..
Cannon, Of Illinois The vote resulted as fol-
lows:
Total number OF votes cast. 313; FOR Carlisle,
163; for Reed, 148; for Brumm. Of Pennsyiva-
mia. OF the four Independents. Anderson, of
Iowa, voted for Carlisle; Nichols. of North Car
olina, and Smith, OF Wisconsin, for Brumm,
while Hopkins. of Virginia, did not vote.
The Clerk thsreupon declared Mr.. Carlisle to
be the duly elected Speaker. and that ReDtle-
m NJ Tn he ~
Messrs. Cox and Reed. amid loud applause. The
oath of office having been administered by Mr..
Kelley, of Pennsylvania. tho Speaker raped
the House to order and said:
Gentlemen of the House of Repressntatives-In as
suning for the third time the duties of the aborious
and responsible of c. for which have just chosen
tingushed favor conferred and you that Ii
will be my constant endeavor justify the confidence
of the law governing proceedings. In his efforts
to promote the prompt and regular of tho
this almos, entirely dependent upon the co-opera-
ton Of the gentlemen on the floor, and it is very
perience that he always rely upon your active
support when he is right. and on your kind indul-i
frequent occasion to invoke your indulgence but
trust you viii have just to complain that
There has scarcely ever been a time in history
when the continued prosperity of the country de-
pended largely legislation in Congress
for the reason that the dangers which at this time
thi lten the commercial and industrial interests Of
gress alone odify repeal. Neither the
tive department of the general government nor the
effectively the situation which now confronts u.s.
Whatsyer is done must be done here and if nothirg
Ia done the responsibility must rest here. It be
snrvev of public afa;rs that the time has nov coaa
when a revision of revenue laws and q reduction
of taxation absolutely necessary in order pre-
the Treasury. Whether this ought ough. not. to
have been done heretofore, is question which it
would be useless now 10 discuss It is suficient for
the government and the private business
of these subjects and she speedy enactment of sors
substantial measure of relief. UnfortunS Stelv
menaced by dangers from opposite directions. While
policy of nonacton must inevitably result sooner
or later in serious injury to the country cannot
be unmindfu the fact that hasty iuconsderats
legislation subjects less affecting large
financial and industrial interests might produce.
porarily at least disturbances and embarrassments
Which q more prudent course would entirely avoid.
Investments made aud labor employed in the nuruer
and vauabe industries which have grown up
under present system of taxation ought be
rudely disturbed by sudden and radical changes in
the policy to which they have adjusted themselves;
but the just demands of overtaxed people and the
obvious requiree of the financial situation cannot
be entirely ignored without seriously imperiling
much greater and widely extended interests than
any that could possibly be injuricusly affected by
mc derate and reasonable reduction of duties. No
part of our people immediately
or vitality interested in the continuance of fnas-
ciai prosperity than those who labor for wages.
Upon them and their families must always fall the
most disastrous consequences of monetary crisis;
and they, too. are always the last to realize the
benefit of return to prosperous times Their wages
ALWAYS the first to fall when the crisis and
the last TO rise when 1t passes away Our effort
should be afford the relief TO all without
injury to the interests of any, therefore that
course of legislation should he pursued which viii
the laborns people of the country against
the para'vzng effects of a general and prolonged
financial depression and at the time not inter
fere with their steady enploynent or deprive
them of part of the just rewards of thai toll.
II this be done-and / believe il can if
deliberations conducted with the wisdom and
patriotism which the gravity of the situation de-
Inands-this Congress viii have to congratulate
itself achievement which promises ueace and
prosperity 10 the country for many years 10 come.
These remarks may be considered somewhat out of
to the casion, but believe You will them.
gentlemen because they relate to subjects which,
BILE here to-day, uppermost IN the minds
OF all the people. On he correct solution or these
questions, which the subject necessarily involves may
depend the fate not only of political parties but
what is far i'm portant the permanent welfare OF
the greatest and most enlightened constituencies IN
the world
AMI honor able place to which You have assigned me,
and, without attempting to detain you further We
viii proceed TO complete ths organization OF the
House.
When the applause which greeted this spesch
had subsided, rho Speaker entered upon the
me u bers elect. who, in groups OF dozen at o
time appeared the bar of the House and quai-
fled. This duty having been ascompiished q, the
Sneaker stated that nominations for the house
officers were in order
A resolution presenting for election the Dem
ocratic Caucus nominees submitted oy Mr.
Cox. of New York. while a similar resolution.
nominees, was offered by Mr.. Cannon, OF Ilh-
nos. Mr.. Brumm, of Pennsylvania. put tue
following ticket in the field: For Clerk
Robert Shilling of Wisconsin; for Serseansac